The court found that the accused met the 15-year-old victim while she was visiting friends in Mavalani village near Giyani to celebrate Christmas. “On returning home, Mathebula followed them and forced her to a tavern where he offered to buy her liquor. The victim declined and pleaded with him to let her go,” said Const Ridgewell Rikhotso, spokesperson for the police in Giyani.

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“He refused and instead took her to the nearby bushes at knifepoint while reminding her that he bought her chips earlier,” said Rhikotso. “He raped the girl, strangled her, and then dumped the body in a dam. He used a rock for the body to be covered by water. The body was found by a fisherman who alerted the police,” Rhikotso explained. Dt Const Emmanuel Fulufhelo Nndwambi was assigned to investigate the case.

Mathebula was traced and arrested in Protea Glen, south of Soweto with assistance from the Johannesburg metro police. He applied for bail on several occasions but the investigating officer was able to oppose bail until the trial started. The provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the hefty sentence and commended the investigating officer for the diligent work.